Marine Le Pen is a French politician who is the president of the National Front, a national-conservative political party in France and one of its main political forces.

Described as more democratic and republican than her nationalist father, she has led a movement of "de-demonization of the Front National" to detoxify it and soften its image

Ms Le Pen’s chances of winning the looming election were given a fresh boost on Monday when former prime minister Alain Juppe revealed he wouldn’t stand in the race to replace scandal-hit Francois Fillon.

Mr Fillon found himself in hot water over allegations that members of his family were paid taxpayers’ money for fictitious jobs.

The claims have seen him lose support within the centre-right party and in opinion polls.

A poll on Friday showed if Mr Juppe had become the new centre-right candidate, he would likely win the election's first round in April, with Emmanuel Macron coming second - knocking anti-Brussels Ms Le Pen out of the race.